The Fight Network provides live play-by-play results from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. for Strikeforce: Evolution:

Main Bouts (On Showtime):

-Cung Le (6-0) vs. Scott Smith (16-6)

Cung Le and Scott Smith both come out to a ruckus San Josean crowd here at the HP.

 “It’s Showtime!”—ah, the prophetic words of one Jimmy Lennon Jr.

I eat my words, the crowd turns a bit on Scott Smith as he officially announced here at the main event of the evening. Everyone is on their feet as Cung is announced, with Vietnamese flags galore bannered around the near sold out crowd.

Big John McCarthy oversees the action.

Early chants of Cung Le litter the arena.

Round 1--Smith comes in early with a wild exchange of haymakers and a high kick are thrown out with reckless abandon.
Cung connects early with a spnning heel kick to the midsection of Smith and knocks him off balance. Scott falls back against the cage and Cung is on top delivering shot after shot to his downed opponent. Heavy hammer fists landing for Cung, Smith doing a good job of defending on the bottom but isnt doing anything improve his position. he finally regains his composure and gets back to his feet. There, Cung lands another heel kick, this time to the head and Smith is down, though it appears to be another slip. The round ends with Scott chasing Cung with pistons for hands. 10-9 Cung.

Round 2--The round begins and Cung is emploring a smart game, staying long with kicks when finally spinning heel hook to the body, this time lands and doubles Smith against the cage. Cung, now in Scott's full guard is stifled when Smith holds on to Le's wrist's, waiting for a standup. The pace has slowed and finally "Big" John stands them back up. Smith clinches Cung against the cage with double underhooks before transitioning to a single leg but gives it up. Smith goes for double underhooks again and the fighters separate after a stalemate. Smith with a nice inside elbow as Cung clinches Smith into the fence. Scott is still alive as he answers back with a crisp left-right combo that lands, just before the bell sounds. 10-9 Cung.

Round 3--The fighters embrace in the middle of the cage as the third and finasl round begin. Cung lands a big spinning back kick to the head that rocks Smith and follows it up with one to the midsection, but to no avail. Smith steps in with a left hook but Cung showing his Shan Shou prowess wisely circles away. Smith beginning to uncork the right hand but Cung is able display good head movement. Le looking a little bit tired. Another kick to the body lands for cung before he looks for the takedown and secures a huge slam, but Smith is qquick to his feet. Scott than presses him against the cage and traps him with punches. Just as it appears Cung is control of the fight, in Scott Smith fashion, he scores with a right hook that stuns Cung. Not letting him get away this time, Smith follows up with left hook that drops Cung to the mat. Le back up to his feet is dropped with another lefthook. He's a terminator, he gets back to his feet and doubled with a straight right, Smith follows him to the ground, but the fight is over.
 
Scott Smith defeats Cung Le by Knockout at 3:25 in the 3rd round.

-Josh Thomson (16-2) vs. Gilbert Melendez (16-2)

Two down, two to go with the Strikeforce, Lightweight title unification featuring current champion Josh Thomson opposite of
interim champion, Gilbert Melendez. Melendez comes out to a nice ovation over here at the HP, with the crowd on its feet to catch a glimpse of the 155er. However, Josh Thomson is able to match the crowds enthusiasm--scratch that, elevates it as the AKA product makes his way to the cage.

Josh Rosenthal calls the action.

Round 1-- A touch of gloves and we're underway. A wild exchange has the crowd come alive, with both fighters getting good shots in. A kick by Melendez is caught by Thomson who takes him down, though "El Nino" is able to get right back up. These guys dont know the meaning of "slow" as they continue to poor it on with wild, exciting exchanges here at the HP. The action slows for a bit before Melendez answers with a 1-2. A low kick lands for Thomson who is able to follow it up with a nice left-right combination. A low kick lands for Melendez as he continues to paw away with his left hand looking to explode with the right. Just as the action slows for a bit Melendez lands a hard right hook, but Thomson leeps coming forward. Thomoson fires back with left hook, right hook, left hook, right hook. The round ends and the crowd is loving it. 10-9 Thomson.

Round 2-- Thomson looking very light on his feet continues to display good head movement. A brief exchange and Melendez' ight hook finally lands and appears to have dropped Thomson, though it is unclear if it is a slip or knockdown as he was over a decal. Melendez follows and continues to pour it on but Thomson is able to evade. In the clinch, Gilbert lands a hard knee to the boys and the bout is halted momentarily. The fight continues and Thomson returns with three kicks in succession. Melendez looking to brawl on the inside, rushes in with wild hooks, but none seem to land clean. Gilbert catches a leg from Thomson and tosses him to ground, following up with punches and knee to the midsection. Thomson rocks Melendez with a right hand and a brawl ensues with crowd loud and on its feet. Gilbert returns with fire of his own and drops Thomson hard to the mat, but can't do much as the round ends. 10-9 Melendez.

Round 3--Thomson all smiles going into the third and Melendez looks confident as he is the agressor early on, with two strong, thudding low kicks. A warning from Rosenthal is issued as the fighters clash heads. The pace is slowed a bit here in the third, but Melendez is getting the better of the exchanges with his low kick to hook combo. Another strong low kick lands for Gilbert as Thomson's legs are taking a beating. The fighters trade low kicks before Thomson tries to shoot in for the takedown. As they break away, Josh lands a nice knee to the belt and backs away. The bell sounds and The Fight Network sees round 3 for Melendez.

Round 4--Thomson might be on the losing end of the fight so far, but you wouldn't be able to tell with the smile painted on his face. Thomson closes the distance early and looks for takedown, its denied. Melendez in close, throws a knee, but is taken down. Gilbert pops right back up and continues to throw out a left hook like its a jab. Thomosn lands a strong right hook, but Melendez shakes it off. Thomson throws a kick, Gilbert catches it and tosses him to the mat before following from behind with additional shots of his own. Another takedown from Thomson is shutdown by Melendez who is beginning to time him coming in with his left hand that lands. The action is halted when an open hand slap-to thumb catches Josh directly in the eye. He takes his time and returns to action and the round is over. The frame belongs to Melendez, who is up 3-1. Gilbert appears to be the fresher fighter going into the fifth and final round.

Round 5--Brief clinch early has Thomson deliver a knee to the midesction. They back away and Thomson goes for broke and the two meet and brawl, much to the crowds approval as everyone is on their feet here at the HP. A right hand lands clean for Melendez and he drops Thomson. Working from inside his guard, he eventaually secures his back as Thomson works his way up, but is unable to do much and they are both on their feet. Chants of Gilbert roar through the arena. Thomson a little sluggish, but is still a gamer and is finally able to take Gilbert down, into mount, than back mount, and "El Nino" escpaes back to the feet. Thomson looks frustrated and Melendez is doing his best Diaz impression and in the final ten seconds they trade blow for blow. The round ends and Gilbert raises his hands while a dejected Josh looks on. The Fight Network sees the round for Melendez, 10-9 and the bout in his favor, 49-46. But, Cecil Peoples is in attendance--anything can happen.

Official decision reads 49-47, 49-46, and 49-46 for the winner and NEW undisputed, Strikeforce Lightweight Champion: Gilbert Melendez.

-Matt Lindland (21-6) vs. Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza (10-2)

One bout in the books on the main card and we're on to a middleweight showdown between grappling aces Matt Lindland and Ronaldo Souza.

Both men making their debuts for Strikeforce could easily make a statement to contest doe the middleweight title held by one Jake Shields, should they have a great performance.

Second fight into the main card and still not at full capacity--doesn't look like a sell out this team around at the HP.

Big John McCarthy calls the action

Round 1--"Lets get it on!" and we're underway. Brief exchanges early see "Jacare" getting the better of it, appearing to have rocked Lindland with an early left hook-right hook combo. Lindland looks for the takedown and is denied after a brief scramble. Finally, Lindland
is able to secure Jacare's back and takes him down. From there, Ronaldo is able to reverse position and locks Matt in an omaplata to a tight, tight arm-bar. It looks close, but Matt hangs tough. A brief exchange on the ground of Jujitsu prowess from both men eventually has
Jacare on top, mounted, than into a tight arm triangle. Just as Lindland appears to be going out, he taps.

Ronaldo Souza defeats Matt Lindland via Arm-Triangle choke at 4:18 of the first.

-Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal (5-0) vs. Mike Whitehead (24-6)

These people are sneaky over here at Strikeforce. Whitehead already in the cage with no-formal announcement.

However everyone notices "King Mo", adorned with his signature bling bling and two strapping young ladies following him to the cage.

Jimmy Lennon Jr. is back! John Shorley is the referee for the heavyweight tilt.

Round 1--"Iron" Mike appears the agressor early on, stalking Mo with high and low kicks, though nothing connects. Whitehead tries for a takedown but he's denied by the flamboyant Japanese star. Mo fires back with a left and right hooks, but Mike seems to be undeterred. The crowd grows restless as neither fighter is comitting to anything efficient. Mo looking very lackadasical, hanging his hands low but then out of nowhere lands a stiff right hook that immediatley puts Whitehead on his back and on queer street. Mo follows with a few additional punches and Mike is out cold.

Great debut for the "King" as he puts Whitehead away at 3:08 of the first round, via Knockout (punches)

Preliminary Bouts (Non-Televised):

-Scott Lighty (5-0) vs. Antwain Britt (9-3)

Light heavyweights Scott Lighty and Antwain Britt square off with Josh Rosenthall calling the action.

Round 1--A brief exchange as K-1 veteran Scott Lighty remains calm andcollected. Maybe TOO calm, as Britt is able to get inside and land hooks in rapid succession, with one finding their mark and drops Lighty against the cage. Scott is able to defend and eventually makes his way back to his fight before eating additional hooks. A
left-uppercut-shovel-hook (its weird) lands for Britt and he drops Lighty again. Scott hangs tough but continues eating hook after hook from his back, with Britt being anything but merciful. They find their way back to their feet and there you have, Britt drops him again with a clean left hook. Lighty, too tough for his own good wont quit, and continues to plod along. The round ends and coincidentally, so does the fight.

Antwain Britt defeats Scott Lighty via TKO at the end of round 1, on the advice of the doctor. Gee, getting dropped 3-4 times in the fight, might do that.

-Justin Wilcox (7-3) vs. Daisuke Nakamura (20-11)

The second bout on the preliminaries is immediatley underway. Daisuke Nakamura of Japan comes out adorning the traditional "rising sun" head band--classy.Wilcox follows suit and...WOW! Probably one of the bigger lightweights out there these days. Josh Rosenthal will referee the action.
 
Round 1--One of AKA's boys, Wilcox comes out pawing away with his left hand, with his right cocked bacl ready to load up. Nakamura appears to be baiting him in, carrying his left hand by his hips, inviting him a right hand from Wilcox that lands. High kick from Justin misses. A strong one-two looks as though it stuns Nakamura, but only temporarily. Heavy shots traded by Wilcox, but Nakimra is eating each one. Justin going to well over and over again with the one-two, but they seem to be landing. Nakamura looking to counter, but nothing effective lands. The round ends with Justin continuing to trade on the inside with his Japanese foe, landing the heavier shots and takes the opening round.

Round 2--Just as it was in the first, the two immediatley begin trading, Daisuke with a knee to the midesction as Wilcox comes in pawing away with his left before unleashing one-two after one-two. A poke by Wilcox halts the action temporarily just for a few seconds before Nakamura signals to the referee that he is fine. Nakamura continues to hang his hands low and Justin continues to circle to his right, delivering his pattented--you guessed it--one-two.  Wide right hand misses from Wilcox, slips, but jumps back to his feet. Finally, Wilcox decides to take Nakamura down with a quick double and immediatley is trapped in a kimura. Wilcox defends and the round ends, with Justin up now 2-0. Additionally--Dave Meltzer reports that "Tarzan" was unable to compete, falling ill after having attempting to drop the necesarry weight just yesterday, though successful, was deemed unable to continue.

Round 3-- Justin opens with a big slam early and with a brief scramble both men wind back up on the feet. Takedown by Justin again and he finds himself on Nakamuras back. Daisuke remains dangerous on the ground, as he is able to secure an arm, pinched between his legs, before Wilcox wisely gets back to his feet. The fighters trade punch for punch with Wilcox continuously getting the better of the exchanges. Nakamura's face shows no signs of damage, however Justin appears to be cut on the bridge of his nose and bears a nice mouse under his left eye, which turns into a small cut. A wild exchange in the closing moments of the fight calls for a roar from the crowd, showing their approval. Clean sweep, Wilcox coasts through a one-sided victory.

Winner via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27): Justin Wilcox

-Alex Crispim (3-2) vs. A.J. Fonseca (4-1)

First fight of the night, Featherweights: Alex Crispim vs. AJ Fonseca

Big John McCarthy is in the house officiating tonight. San Jose REALLY against Crispim here, but are all the way behind they're boy AJ. The crowd so far is at about 30-percent capacity. Jimmy Lennon Jr. nowhere to be found to call the first bout of the evening.

Round 1--And were underway--early clinch work by Alex against the cage. After a brief struggle, Crispim is finally able to bring him to the ground. Alex has AJ in half guard, though not much action going on. Peppering AJ with shots on the ground, but nothing significant. It looks like AJ is waiting on the referee to come ans save him, but the officianado is having none of it and is allwoing the action to continue. AJ is up momentarilly and blasts Alez with a clean one-two. He continues to poor it on and Alez is already fading. The bell sounds, AJ does damage in the closing minute or so of the fight, but Round 1 goes to Crispim for his early control.

Round 2--Again, Alex clinches early against the cage and AJ does a nice job with an under hook and pummels Alex's back against the fence. They separate and exchange briefly, but nothing there. AJ lands some solid leg kicks before deciding to take Alex down. Once there, Crispim is able to secure a guillotine. It looks tight, but AJ hangs in there and is eventually mounted in a scramble. Alex transitions to his Back, AJ revereses and they are back on their feet. Alex still looks tired, but he will not stop coming forward. A nice stiff left lands for Alex once, than twice. Alex is wading in with punches and than backs away. A high kick blocked by AJ. Round 2 is in the books, not nearly as close as the first and Alex is now 2-0 going into the third.

Round 3--A touch of gloves starts the third and AJ eats a quick 1-2 and asks for more. A brief exchang on the feet and AJ is the agressor, pressing Alex against the fence and secures a single leg, but is not able to take down. Alex is able to reverse position, secure a thai clinch and lands three knees in rapid succession, the third deemed illegal is AJ is sitting on the canvas as the third comes in. A warning is issued but AJ comes back quick without taking the allowed additional time to recover. Finally AJ is able to secure the takedown but gets tangled up in the Gracie Jujitsu practioner's "web", going from omaplata, to possible triangle, back to omaplata than to a heel hook as the bell sounds. Good fight overall and it should be clear cut, with Alex taking a clean sweep across the board: Round three belongs to Alex as well.

Winner via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27): Alex Crispim

-David Douglas (4-2) vs. Bobby Stack (6-1)

There will onlhy be three preliminary bouts tonight.
 
Originally, A lightweight bout pitting David "Tarzan" Douglas (4-2) against Bobby Stack (6-1) has been scratched from the card.
 
Earlier yesterday at the weigh-ins, Douglas initially came in at 157.5 pounds--one and a half pounds over the required 156-limit.
 
He was given an hour allowance to lose the weight and did so, coming back in at 156 lbs. The Fight Network has now learned from sources close to the promotion that "Tarzan" has suffered an injury since than and will not be able to compete, though no formal announcement has been made.